The Protestant Reformation: The Good, The Bad, and The Ugly · Reformation 7/16/2017 Sugar Land Bible Church 7 A. Preparation of the Reformers 1.Morning stars of the Reformation 2.God

Dr. Andy Woods ‐ The Protestant Reformation

7/16/2017

Sugar Land Bible Church 1

The Protestant Reformation:The Good, The Bad, and The Ugly

Session 6

Andy Woods, Th.M.., JD., PhD.Sr. Pastor, Sugar Land Bible Church

President Chafer Theological Seminary

Introduction

I. Oct 31, 1517

II. 500 years

III. Far reaching impact

IV. Partial restoration

V. Restoration of a hermeneutic

VI. Selectively applied

VII. Subsequent generations applied consistently

VIII. Preview

Overview

I. The early church

II. The Alexandrian eclipse

III. The Dark Ages

IV. The contribution of the Protestant Reformers

V. The Reformers’ incomplete revolution

VI. Reformed Theology today

VII. Dispensationalism & the completed revolution

VIII. Looking back 500 years later


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Overview

I. THE EARLY CHURCH


III. The Dark Ages






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Overview

I. The early church

II. THE ALEXANDRIAN ECLIPSE

III. The Dark Ages






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Dangers of Allegorization – Philo

Dangers of AllegorizationGates of Nehemiah

Dangers of Allegorization

I. Text is not being interpreted

II. Authority is transferred from text to interpreter

III. There is no way to test the interpreter

IV. No mechanism for controlling the interpreter’s imagination

Pentecost, Things to Come, pps. 4‐5


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What Caused the Shift Into Allegorism?

A. Need for immediate relevance

B. Incorporation of human philosophy into interpretation

C. Gnostic dualism (Gen. 1:31; 1 John 2:22; 4:2‐3; Acts 17:32; 1 Cor. 15:12)

D. Decline of the church's Jewish population

E. Constantine’s Edict of Milan (A.D. 313)

F. AD 70 and Hadrian’s (A.D. 117–138)“Palestine”

Overview

I. The early church


III. THE DARK AGES






III. The Dark Ages (or the Middle Ages)

A. Lasted from the 4th to the 16th centuries

B. Obsolescence of prophetic studies

C. Domination of Augustinian Amillennialism

D. Only one church: Roman Catholicism

E. The Bible is removed from the people

1. Allegorization

2. Illiteracy

3. Mass read in Latin

F. Sale of indulgences

G. Anti‐Semitism

H. Church in need of rescue


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Overview

I. The early church


III. The Dark Ages

IV. THE CONTRIBUTION OF THE PROTESTANT REFORMERS





IV. Contribution of the Protestant ReformersA. Preparation of the ReformersB. Emphasis on literal interpretationC. Denunciation of allegorizationD. Rejection of church tradition as a guideE. Priesthood of all believers

1. Bible translations2. Literacy

F. Basis for the American system of governance

G. Five solasH. Rejection of celibacy of the priesthoodI. The ultimate sacrificeJ. Rejoice

A. Preparation of the ReformersB. Emphasis on literal interpretationC. Denunciation of allegorizationD. Rejection of church tradition as a guideE. Priesthood of all believers




IV. Contribution of the Protestant Reformers


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A. Preparation of the Reformers

1. Morning stars of the Reformation

2. God prepares His instruments

3. Legal background

4. Luther

a. Consecration

b. Monasticism

c. Conversion

d. Reformation






“The Scripture hathbut one sense, whichis the literal sense.”

William Tyndale, "Obedience of a Christian Man," in Doctrinal Treatises and Introductions to Different Portions of the Holy Scriptures, ed. Henry Walter

(Cambridge: Cambridge University Press, 1848), 304.

William Tyndale (A.D. 1494‒1536)


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[The Scriptures] “are to be retainedin their simplest meaning everpossible, and to be understood intheir grammatical and literal senseunless the context plainly forbids”.

Martin LutherQuoted by Roy B. Zuck, Basic Bible Interpretation: A Practical Guide to Discovering Biblical Truth (Colorado Springs, CO: Victor, 1991), 45.

"I have observed this, that all heresies and errors haveoriginated, not from the simple words of Scripture, as isso universally asserted, but from neglecting the simplewords of Scripture, and from the affection of purelysubjective…tropes and inferences." "In the schools oftheologians it is a well‐known rule that Scripture is to beunderstood in four ways, literal, allegoric, moral,anagogic. But if we wish to handle Scripture aright, ourone effort will be to obtain unum, simplecum,germanum, et certum sensum literalem." "Each passagehas one clear, definite, and true sense of its own. Allothers are but doubtful and uncertain opinions."

Martin LutherQuoted in Frederic W. Farrar, History of Interpretation (Grand Rapids:

Baker, 1961; reprint, 1886), 327.

“Thus Luther (Table Talk, ‘On God’sWord,’ 11) remarks: ‘I have groundedmy preaching upon the literal word;he that pleases may follow me, hethat will not may stay.’”

Martin LutherQuoted in George N. H. Peters, The Theocratic Kingdom, 3 vols. (New

York: Funk & Wagnalls, 1884; reprint, Grand Rapids: Kregel, 1952), 1:47.


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Calvin wrote in the preface ofhis commentary on Romans“it is the first business of aninterpreter to let the authorsay what he does say, insteadof attributing to him what wethink he ought to say.”

John CalvinQuoted by Roy B. Zuck, Basic Bible Interpretation: A Practical Guide to Discovering Biblical Truth (Colorado Springs, CO: Victor, 1991), 47.

Calvin wrote in his commentaryon Galatians “Let us know thenthat the true meaning ofScripture is the natural andobvious meaning; and let usembrace and abide by itresolutely.”

John CalvinJohn Calvin, Commentary on the Epistle of Paul to the Galatians, p. 136; Quoted by Gerrit H. Hospers, The Principle of Spiritualization in

Hermeneutics (E. Williamson, NY: Author, 1935), p. 11.

“Calvin is the founder of grammatico–historicalexegesis. He affirmed and carried out the soundhermeneutical principle the biblical writers, like allsensible writers, wished to convey to their reader's –one definite thought in words which they couldunderstand. A passage may have a literal or figurativesense; but cannot have two senses at once. The Wordof God is inexhaustible and applicable to all times, butthere is a difference between explanation andapplication, and application must be consistent withexplanation.”

SchaffQuoted by Gerrit H. Hospers, The Principle of Spiritualization in

Hermeneutics (E. Williamson, NY: Author, 1935), p. 12.


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Luther denounced the allegorical approach toScripture in strong words. He said: “Aninterpreter…must as much as possible avoidallegory, that he may not wander in idle dreams.”“Allegories are empty speculations and as it werethe scum of Holy Scripture.” “Origen’s allegories arenot worth so much dirt.” “To allegorize is to jugglewith Scripture.” “Allegory is sort of a beautifulharlot, who proves herself specially seductive to idlemen.” “Allegorizing may degenerate into a meremonkey game.” “Allegories are awkward, absurd,inventive, obsolete, loose rags…mere spangles andpretty ornaments but nothing more."

Martin LutherQuoted in Frederic W. Farrar, History of Interpretation

(Grand Rapids: Baker, 1961; reprint, 1886), 328.

Calvin similarly rejected allegoricalinterpretations. He called them“frivolous games” and accusedOrigen and other allegorists of“torturing scripture, in everypossible sense, from the truesense.”

John CalvinQuoted by Roy B. Zuck, Basic Bible Interpretation: A Practical Guide to Discovering Biblical Truth (Colorado Springs, CO: Victor, 1991), 47.







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Mark 7:13 (NASB)

“thus invalidating the word of God byyour tradition which you have handeddown; and you do many things such asthat.”

“Unless I am convinced by Scriptureand plain reason ‐ I do not accept theauthority of the popes and councils,for they have contradicted eachother ‐ my conscience is captive tothe Word of God. I cannot and I willnot recant anything for to go againstconscience is neither right nor safe.God help me. Amen.”

Martin LutherLuther at the Imperial Diet of Worms (1521)

“I ask for the Scripture, and Eckoffers me the Fathers. I ask for thesun, and he shows me his lanterns. Iask, ‘where is your Scripture proof?’and he adduces Ambrose andCyril…With all due respect to theFathers, I prefer the authority ofScripture.”

Martin LutherQuoted by F.W. Farrar, History of interpretation (NY: E.P. Dutton and Company, 1886), 327.


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Matthew 16:18 (NASB)

“I also say to you that you are Peter(petros, masculine, little stone), andupon this rock (petra, feminine, largestone) I will build My church; and thegates of Hades will not overpower it.”






Revelation 1:6 (NASB)

“and He has made us to be a kingdom,priests to His God and Father—to Himbe the glory and the dominion foreverand ever. Amen.”


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“I am afraid that the schools will prove thevery gates of hell, unless they diligently laborin explaining the Holy Scriptures andengraving them in the heart of the youth...Iadvise no one to place his child where theScriptures do not reign paramount. Everyinstitution in which men are not unceasinglyoccupied with the Word of God mustbecome corrupt."

Martin LutherLuther's Works: The Christian in Society, ed. James

Atkinson, vol. 44 (Philadelphia, PA: Fortress, 1966), 207.

Old Satan Deluder Law: 1642 MassachusettsChurch of the Holy Trinity v. U.S., 143 U.S. 457, 467 (1892)

“It being one chief project ofthat old deluder, Satan, to keepmen from the knowledge of theScriptures, as in former time…Itis therefore ordered…that afterthe Lord hath increased thesettlement…they shall…appointone within their town, to teachall such children to read…theyshall set up a grammar school toinstruct youths…”







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“Every tin horn dictator in the world today, every president for life, hasa Bill of Rights,”...“That’s not what makes us free; if it did, you wouldrather live in Zimbabwe. But you wouldn’t want to live in mostcountries in the world that have a Bill of Rights. What has made us freeis our Constitution. Think of the word ‘constitution;’ it meansstructure.” “That’s why America’s framers debated not the Bill ofRights during the Constitutional Convention of 1787 in Philadelphia,”he said, “but rather the structure of the federal government.” “Thegenius of the American constitutional system is the dispersal ofpower,” he said. “Once power is centralized in one person, or one part[of government], a Bill of Rights is just words on paper.”...“Aconstitution is about setting structure; it is not about writing thepreferences of special interest groups,” he said.”

Kevin Mooney, “Supreme Court Justice Scalia: Constitution, Not Bill of Rights, Makes Us Free,” online: http://dailysignal.com/2015/05/11/supreme‐court‐justice‐scalia‐constitution‐not‐bill‐of‐rights‐makes‐us‐free/, May 11 2015, accessed 20 January 2016.

Martin LutherThe Bondage of the Will


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Genesis 8:21The Lord smelled the soothing aroma; and the Lordsaid to Himself, “I will never again curse the groundon account of man, for the intent of man’s heart isevil from his youth; and I will never again destroyevery living thing, as I have done.[emphasis mine].

Lord Acton

Federalist # 51


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John Calvin






Number Latin Meaning

1. Sola Scriptura Scripture Alone

2. Solus Christus Christ Alone

3. Sola Fide Faith Alone

4. Sola Graetia Grace Alone

5. Soli Deo Gloria To the Glory of God Alone


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Emergent Church & Biblical Authority

“Anglicans have demonstrated this both/andbeautifully in relation to Scripture. Scripture isalways a factor in Anglican thinking. In Anglicans’best moments, it is their primary factor, but it isnever…the only factor. Rather Scripture is always indialogue with tradition, reason, and experience.None of them sola can be the ultimate source ofauthority…” (Italics added).

Brian McLaren, A Generous Orthodoxy, 210.

Biblical Authority

I. Tradition? (Mark 7:13; Col 2:8)

II. Reason? (Prov 3:5; 14:12; Isa 55:8‐9)

III. Experience? (2 Thess 2:9)


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Satanic/Demonic Miracles

I. Exod 7–8

II. Deut 13:1‐3

III. Matt 7:21‐23; 24:24

IV. Acts 8:9; 16:16

V. Gal 1:6‐9

VI. 2 Thess 2:9

VII. Rev 13:3, 13; 16:13‐14

I. Where in Scripture are we told to dialogue with all four?

II. Magisterial vs. ministerial

Biblical Authority








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John 14:6 (NASB)

“Jesus said to him, “I am the way, andthe truth, and the life; no one comesto the Father but through Me.”

Acts 4:12 (NASB)

“And there is salvation in no one else;for there is no other name underheaven that has been given amongmen by which we must be saved.”

1 Timothy 2:5 (NASB)

“For there is one God, and onemediator also between God and men,theman Christ Jesus.”


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“Is not this the carpenter’s son? Is notHis mother called Mary, and Hisbrothers, James and Joseph and Simonand Judas?”

Luke 1:46‐47 (NASB)

“And Mary said: ‘My soul exalts the Lord, And my spirit has rejoiced in God my Savior.’”

Romans 3:23 (NASB)

“ for all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God.”


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Gen 15:6Then he believed in the LORD; and Hereckoned it to him as righteousness.

Belief – God’s One Condition for Justification

John 3:16For God so loved the world, that He gave His only begotten Son, that whoever believes in

Him shall not perish, but have eternal life.

Acts 16:30-31"Sirs, what must I do to be saved?" They said, "Believe in the Lord Jesus, and you will be saved..."

Ephesians 2:8‐9 (NASB)

“For by grace you have been savedthrough faith; and that not ofyourselves, it is the gift of God; 9 not asa result of works, so that no one mayboast.”


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Hebrews 11:6 (NASB)

“And without faith it is impossible toplease Him, for he who comes to Godmust believe that He is and that He is arewarder of those who seek Him.”








“For by grace you have been savedthrough faith; and hat not of yourselves,it is the gift of God; 9 not as a result ofworks, so that no one may boast.”


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“For by grace you have been savedthrough faith; and that not of yourselves,it is the gift of God; 9 not as a result ofworks, so that no one may boast.”

Romans 3:27‐28 (NASB)

“Where then is boasting? It isexcluded. By what kind of law? Ofworks? No, but by a law of faith. 28 Forwe maintain that a man is justified byfaith apart from works of the Law.”


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“I also say to you that you are Peter,and upon this rock I will build Mychurch; and the gates of Hades will notoverpower it.”

Matthew 8:14 (NASB)

“When Jesus came into Peter’s home,He saw his mother‐in‐law lying sick inbed with a fever.”


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1 Corinthians 9:5 (NASB)

“Do we not have a right to take along abelieving wife, even as the rest of theapostles and the brothers of the Lordand Cephas?”












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CONCLUSION







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Numbers 21:9 (NASB)

“And Moses made a bronze serpentand set it on the standard; and it cameabout, that if a serpent bit any man,when he looked to the bronze serpent,he lived.”

John 3:14‐15 (NASB)

“As Moses lifted up the serpent in thewilderness, even so must the Son ofMan be lifted up; 15 so that whoeverbelieves will in Him have eternal life.”

2 Kings 18:4 (NASB)

“He removed the high places and brokedown the sacred pillars and cut down theAsherah. He also broke in pieces the bronzeserpent that Moses had made, for untilthose days the sons of Israel burnedincense to it; and it was called Nehushtan.”


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Joshua 1:2 (NASB)

“Moses My servant is dead; nowtherefore arise, cross this Jordan, youand all this people, to the land which Iam giving to them, to the sons of Israel.”

Matthew 16:13‐23 (NASB)

16Now when Jesus came into the district of Caesarea Philippi, Hewas asking His disciples, “Who do people say that the Son ofMan is?”…16 Simon Peter answered, “You are the Christ, the Sonof the living God.” 17 And Jesus said to him, “Blessed are you,Simon Barjona, because flesh and blood did not reveal this toyou, but My Father who is in heaven. 18 I also say to you that youare Peter, and upon this rock I will build My church; and the gatesof Hades will not overpower it. 19 I will give you the keys of thekingdom of heaven; and whatever you bind on earth shall havebeen bound in heaven, and whatever you loose on earth shallhave been loosed in heaven.”

Matthew 16:13‐23 (NASB)

20 Then He warned the disciples that they should tell no one thatHe was the Christ.21 From that time Jesus began to show Hisdisciples that He must go to Jerusalem, and suffer many thingsfrom the elders and chief priests and scribes, and be killed, andbe raised up on the third day. 22 Peter took Him aside and beganto rebuke Him, saying, “God forbid it, Lord! This shall neverhappen to You.” 23 But He turned and said to Peter, “Get behindMe, Satan! You are a stumbling block to Me; for you are notsetting your mind on God’s interests, but man’s.


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NEXT WEEK

I. The early church


III. The Dark Ages

IV. The Contribution of the Protestant Reformers

V. THE REFORMERS INCOMPLETE REVOLUTION




Documents

The Protestant Reformation: The Good, The Bad, and The Ugly · Reformation 7/16/2017 Sugar Land Bible Church 7 A. Preparation of the Reformers 1.Morning stars of the Reformation 2.God